Gradient Investments
An independent, privately-owned, fee-only SEC registered investment advisor, providing professional money management services.
Gradient Investments
At Gradient Investments, LLC, our innovative approach to investing is focused on understanding our clients and providing personalized investment solutions. We believe that client access to our investment professionals is an invaluable service that is rare in the financial services industry.
Who We Are
Gradient Investments is an independent, privately-owned, fee-based, SEC registered investment advisor that provides professional money management services. We serve individuals, employer-sponsored pension plans, foundations, endowments, and corporations primarily through exchange-traded funds (ETFs), options, and separately managed accounts.
Investment Philosophy
We actively manage accounts through our proprietary Wright Investment Strategy, which is based on the principles of flight. The Wright brothers conquered this challenge by developing a scientific 3-Axis Control System that is still used today on fixed-wing aircrafts. We address investment challenges through a parallel 3-Axis Control System.
1st Axis: Risk Exposure
2nd Axis: Investment Strategy
3rd Axis: Investment Performance
Active risk management is the foundation of our investment process. Risk exposure is defined as the potential deviation from an expected outcome. Standard deviation is used to measure the volatility of an investment. Higher standard deviation of an investment results in greater relative risk (and possible reward) due to uncertainty in the amount of return within the portfolio. Our approach to risk exposure minimizes standard deviation, and our risk management strategy helps to ensure assets are actively monitored and balanced based on investors’ desired risk profiles.
Investment strategy is defined as a set of rules, behaviors or procedures that guides investors to select appropriate investment portfolios. Our tailored investment strategy is designed around personal risk tolerances, and our investment selection process within our proprietary model portfolios is client-focused. Unlike other investment managers who offer the same portfolio to every potential client, we take a different approach. Rather than forcing investors into arbitrary categories, we build portfolios tailored to their individual objectives, risk tolerances and time horizons.
Investment performance is defined as the rate of return on an investment portfolio (given investors' unique risk profiles). We measure investment performance against their goals and objectives. Our disciplined investment approach is shaped by a long-term investment focus, thorough due diligence, and a belief that broad diversification across and within asset classes is essential for long-term success. Our portfolios are designed to yield higher annual returns and less volatility relative to their respective benchmarks. Our Investment Performance Axis uses calculated charting, sophisticated performance reporting, and our proprietary investment tool, Portfolio Pilot. This invaluable tool provides the opportunity to visualize the relationship between risk (standard deviation) and reward (return).
Is Gradient Investments Right For You?
Nationally recognized - Gradient Investments recently ranked 125th in Financial Advisor Magazine's 2023 Annual RIA Ranking in the August 2023 issue *
Ranked 25th out of 2,429 RIA firms – Top 1 percent, a measure of how many clients are opening new accounts with Gradient Investments **
Ranked 86th out of 2,429 RIA Firms – Top 4 percent – for CHANGE IN TOTAL ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT, a measure of growth in total dollars managed by Gradient Investments **
* The facts and data herein are calculated and reported by a third party. Financial Advisor Magazine's Annual RIA Ranking is based on 12/31/2020 Discretionary and nondiscretionary AUM reported on Gradient Investments' Form ADV. The published rankings are on FA's website, www.fa-mag.com. Gradient Investments is not affiliated with Financial Advisor Magazine. This data should not be used as the sole basis for making any investment decision. This information is not an indication of future results or performance and is not an endorsement of Gradient Investments, LLC by Financial Advisor Magazine. Please consult your investment advisor and for information on Gradient Investments, please request a copy of our ADV Part 2A.
** Net New Accounts and Change in Total Assets Under Management are reported by Orion Advisory Services, LLC as of 2/28/2022. The data does not represent all RIA firms, rather a subset of RIAs/money managers who use the services of Orion. Gradient Investments is not affiliated with Orion. This data should not be used as the sole basis for making any investment decision. This information is not an indication of future results or performance and is not an endorsement of Gradient Investments, LLC by Orion. Please consult your investment advisor and for information on Gradient Investments, please request a copy of our ADV Part 2A.
*** Assets Under Management as of 10/31/2023
Experience On Your Side
We built our dedicated investment team around seasoned investment professionals: our portfolio managers provide decades of institutional investment experience and have a deep working knowledge of the individual client market. Whether your clients’ investment goals are preserving principal, maximizing income or accumulating capital, our investment team has a carefully designed strategy to help them achieve their long-term investment goals.
Michael Binger , CFA®
President
Michael Binger, CFA®, serves as the President of Gradient Investments, LLC. Binger brings over 31 years of investment management experience to Gradient Investments and its affiliated advisors and clients. He has extensive experience working directly with financial advisors designing and actively managing portfolios. Binger has successfully invested in numerous market and economic cycles giving him a level and depth of experience that is rare in this industry.
Binger started his investment career in Minneapolis, Minnesota with Lutheran Brotherhood in 1987 and gained experience managing assets in a variety of asset classes including convertible bonds, small cap equities, and large cap equities. When Lutheran Brotherhood and Aid Association for Lutherans merged in 2001 to become Thrivent Financial, Binger was selected to work as one of the senior portfolio managers on the Large Cap Growth team and Large Cap Alpha Team managing over $3 billion in assets. As a senior portfolio manager, he developed and oversaw the tactical investment strategies utilized within mutual funds, variable annuities, pension funds and insurance company products. These investment processes included proprietary portfolio construction strategies, security selection metrics and volatility control parameters.
Binger graduated from the University of Minnesota earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration-Finance. He graduated with honors and was the University of Minnesota's 'Wall Street Journal Award Winner.' Binger is a CFA® and a member of The Chartered Financial Analyst Institute and the Twin Cities Society of Security Analysts.
Binger's media highlights include numerous appearances, providing market insight on CNBC, Bloomberg TV and Fox Business. He has also been quoted in The Wall Street Journal, Barron's, Smart Money, Reuters, Business Week and numerous other local, national, and global investment publications.
Jeremy Bryan , CFA®
Senior Portfolio Manager
Jeremy Bryan, Chartered Financial Analyst®, serves as portfolio manager for Gradient Investments, and brings over 15 years of investment experience to the team. Prior to joining Gradient Investments, Bryan spent several years working with investment advisors and their clients to design and manage investment portfolios. His in-depth knowledge of the private client market, along with his expertise in asset allocation, investment analysis and risk assessment gives him a unique perspective into the investment markets.
Bryan worked as an equity analyst at Deephaven Capital Management in Minneapolis and Surveyor Capital in New York City. Most recently, he was an equity portfolio manager at Alerus Financial in Minneapolis, where he oversaw more than $2 billion of assets under management.
Bryan was born and raised in Minnesota. He earned his bachelor's degree in finance from St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minnesota and his master's degree from the University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis. Bryan earned his CFA designation in 2010 and is a member of CFA Institute. He also remains actively involved with the CFA Society of Minnesota.
Nicole Alexander
Chief Compliance Officer
Nicole Alexander serves as Chief Compliance Officer for Gradient Investments, LLC. Nicole brings over a decade of experience in the investment services industry to Gradient. Her skill set includes supporting financial advisors in investment portfolio administration, asset analysis, project management, trading, compliance, and client services. Currently, she oversees the compliance and supervisory responsibilities and is accountable for oversight, ensuring all internal policies, procedures, standards of conduct and ethical principles are adhered to relative to SEC regulations.
During her tenure, Nicole served as Assistant Portfolio Manager for a Registered Investment Advisor in the Twin Cities area. Her duties involved portfolio analysis, client and advisor support, and trading. Nicole managed the billing process of all investment accounts, cash disbursements, prepared in-depth portfolio analysis and financial reports for clients, and was responsible for all compliance support and regulatory filings.
Nicole holds her Series 65 and earned her Bachelor of Science in business management with a minor in finance from the University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Management.
Keith Gangl , CFA®
Portfolio Manager
Keith Gangl, CFA®, serves as a portfolio manager for Gradient Investments, LLC. Gangl brings over 22 years of institutional investment management experience to Gradient Investments. Gangl has a long successful track record of investment performance through various market cycles and has extensive knowledge of equity markets.
Prior to Gradient, Gangl worked as a senior portfolio manager for over 18 years covering various asset styles and market capitalizations for Thrivent Financial. He was on a team overseeing several billion dollars in assets. Gangl while managing the fund twice won a Lipper Leader Award, which is given to a fund that excels in providing consistent strong risk-adjusted performance relative to their peers. As a senior portfolio manager, he developed and oversaw the tactical investment strategies utilized within mutual funds, variable annuities, pension funds and insurance company products. These investment processes included proprietary portfolio construction strategies, security selection metrics and volatility controlled parameters. Gangl helped start and develop the quantitative department improving portfolio construction and risk monitoring tools.
Gangl graduated from St. John's University earning a Bachelor of Arts in Math and Computer Science. He received his Master of Business Administration graduate degree from the University of St. Thomas. Gangl is a CFA® and a member of the Twin Cities Society of Security Analysts.
Gangl has been featured in Investor's Business Daily, quoted in Bloomberg, Wall Street online, Reuters, Yahoo! News and other local and national publications.
Tyler Ellegard , CFA®
Portfolio Manager
Tyler Ellegard, CFA®, serves as an Portfolio Manager for Gradient Investments, LLC. Prior to his current role with GI, he served as an investment analyst where he assisted the Portfolio Managers with analysis of portfolio performance and with the proprietary investment analysis on individual security selection.
Prior to Gradient , Tyler worked for US Bancorp in Minneapolis, MN as a Wealth Management Advisor where his primary responsibility was building custom investment portfolios tailored to clients specific investment objectives and risk tolerences. Tyler is a graduate of the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Economics with an emphasis in Finance.
Lisa Schreiber
Investment Analyst
Lisa Schreiber serves as an Investment Analyst for Gradient Investments, LLC.
Prior to joining Gradient, she worked as a Private Client Advisor for a regional bank in Linz/Austria, where her main responsibility was the investment and insurance consultation of high-net-worth clients, financial planning and building investment portfolios based on her client’s requirements.
Lisa graduated from the University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Financial Management, Controlling and Accounting.
She is currently a Level 2 candidate in the CFA® program.
David Aamot
Investment Analyst
David Aamot serves as an Investment Analyst where he assists the Portfolio Managers with analysis of portfolio performance and individual security selection. Prior to joining Gradient David worked at an independent RIA where his responsibilities included aiding in personal financial planning, mutual fund selection and building investment portfolios based on client requirements.
David graduated from Bethel University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Finance. He is currently a Level 2 candidate in the CFA program.
Jonathan VanOrden
Senior Investment Consultant
Jonathan VanOrden serves as senior vice president at Gradient Investments. As senior vice president, VanOrden oversees the investment consultant group and is responsible for staff development, marketing and overall asset growth. In addition, he builds strategic partnerships with independent investment advisors and assists them and their clients with investment decisions and portfolio allocation. VanOrden joined Gradient Investments in 2011 and has been a driving force in helping Gradient Investments become nationally recognized as a top 50 fastest growing RIA Firm by Financial Advisor Magazine for the last four consecutive years.
VanOrden brings over 14 years of experience in the financial services industry with the last 10 years being focused in investment consulting, marketing, portfolio analysis and portfolio management. Prior to Gradient, he spent several years as a senior financial advisor with Wells Fargo Advisors. He earned his bachelor's degree in business administration from Minnesota School of Business and currently holds the Series 66 license.
Matthew Anderson
Senior Investment Consultant
Matt Anderson serves as an Investment Consultant at Gradient Investments. As an Investment Consultant he builds strategic partnerships with independent investment advisors to implement marketing strategies to grow their businesses and assists them and their clients with investment decisions and portfolio allocation. Anderson started his career with Gradient Financial Group in 2015 with the Case Central team as a Senior Case Design Specialist where he worked directly with advisors to create financial plans, asset allocation recommendations, supporting reports and investment analysis.
Anderson was raised in Minnesota, where he attended Saint John’s University and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Finance with a minor in Business Management. Anderson currently holds the Series 65 license as well as the Life and Health license.
Robert Punch
Senior Investment Consultant
Robert Punch serves as a Senior Investment Consultant at Gradient Investments. As a Senior Investment Consultant, he builds strategic partnerships with independent investment advisors to help them implement best business practices, develop marketing strategies, and select investments for client portfolio construction.
Punch started his career in the financial services industry in 2012 and previously worked for two Fortune 500 companies before joining Gradient Investments. He has been working at Gradient Investments since 2019.
Punch was raised in St. Paul, Minnesota. He attended the University of St. Thomas and earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History. Punch currently holds the Series 65 license.
Becky Willenbring
Director of Operations
Becky Willenbring serves at the Director of Operations for Gradient Investments, LLC. Becky brings over 30 years of industry experience to Gradient Investments. Her background includes Investment Operations, Custodial Operations, Trade Settlement Operations & Mutual Fund Accounting.
During her 10 years with Gradient Investments, she has been instrumental in keeping pace with changes within the industry, technology and compliance. She fosters her team to have a high level of customer service.
Andy Fischer
Director of Trading
Andy Fischer serves as the Director of Trading for Gradient Investments bringing over 2 decades of Operations and Trading experience to the position. Prior to joining Gradient Investments, Fischer was the Operations and Trading supervisor for a boutique broker dealer in the Twin Cities Metro. He previously worked in compliance and customer service at both US Bancorp Financial Services and Ameriprise LLC.
Fischer has his Series 65 and previously held the Series 7, 24, 4, and 63 FINRA licenses.
Fischer was born and raised in Wisconsin where he achieved a Bachelor of Science in Economics and a Bachelor of Business Administration from St. Norbert College, De Pere, WI. He moved to the Twin Cities in 1999, and currently enjoys the Minnesota outdoors and family life with his wife and two boys.
Picker's Market Podcast
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Market Commentary
Investing can be a challenging yet rewarding process. Information changes rapidly which is why it is so important to stay informed. Please enjoy our latest market commentary and reflections.
Investment Strategies
Our investment selection process within our proprietary model portfolios is client focused. We build a portfolio tailored to your unique objectives, risk tolerances and time horizons. Watch the videos to learn more about our proprietary model portfolios.
Gradient Tactical Rotation
Portfolio: Gradient Tactical Rotation
Category: Strategic & Tactical
The Gradient Tactical Rotation (GTR) portfolio is a rules-based investment strategy designed to generate excess returns over global stock market indices. Equity markets around the globe often display wide dispersions of return over time. This creates the opportunity to make tactical investment decisions and rotate client funds to areas of strength around the globe.
The tactical investment process identifies broad geographic investment markets (and their subsectors) where price momentum is greatest. During periods of sustained negative decline in global stocks, the GTR can move 100 percent to cash. The portfolio utilizes a quantitative, two-factor approach in its tactical investment process and deploys a methodology that selects the most optimal global asset class sectors. The GTR is actively managed to maximize risk-adjusted return over full market cycles.
Gradient Core Select
Portfolio: Gradient Core Select
Category: Strategic & Tactical
The Gradient Core Select is an actively managed, diversified US stock portfolio. The portfolio is designed for long term capital appreciation by selecting strong businesses trading at reasonable prices.
The Gradient Core Select invests in mid-to-large capitalization US stocks. The portfolio is intended to be a core US equity market allocation and will provide return primarily through stock price appreciation. Companies are selected using a rigorous investment process designed to identify business trading at a discount to their long term value. The Core Select will invest using a bottom up stock analysis approach paired with a risk-managed approach to industry sector allocation. This process is designed to ensure the active risk is commensurate with our highest conviction opportunities.
The Core Select invests in 50-80 US stocks. Individual positions are managed to reduce single stock exposure risk. Position sizes will be actively managed in accordance with the fundamental opportunity combined with our risk-managed sector selection approach. Sector allocations will remain within reasonable proximity of the Global Industry Classification Sector (GICS) weightings of the S&P 500. Decisions to exit holdings will be based on a company no longer meeting our investment criteria or valuation framework.
Gradient 50 Dividend Portfolio
Portfolio: Gradient 50 Dividend Portfolio
Category: Strategic & Tactical
Investing in dividend-paying stocks provides investors the potential for long term capital appreciation along with recurring income.
The Gradient 50 (G50) investment process selects 50 US, dividend paying stocks for inclusion in the portfolio. Our proprietary investment process looks for financially strong companies that generate ample cash flow and are exceeding analyst expectations. Each company selected not only pays a current dividend but, in our opinion, have the ability to grow that dividend over time.
The Gradient Investment Management team selects the final 50 stocks and diversifies the portfolio across multiple industry sectors. The portfolio is actively managed to maintain both fundamental and dividend objectives. The G50's combination of stock selection, portfolio construction and active management delivers a diversified stock portfolio that focuses on long term growth and dividend income.
Gradient 33 Growth Portfolio
Portfolio: Gradient 33 Growth Portfolio
Category: Strategic & Tactical
The Gradient 33 (G33) Portfolio is a portfolio of 33 equally weighted growth stocks. Our rigorous selection process focuses on companies that are growing at a high rate and have demonstrated a sustainable competitive advantage to continue to grow in the future. We balance these 33 stock selections between the small, mid and large capitalization sectors of the market. Doing so gives the portfolio exposure to proven growth companies while participating in the emerging winners of tomorrow. Companies in the G33 Portfolio provide unique, high-demand products and services to the markets that propel this growth and can change the way business is done. Investors wishing to participate in this growth seek outsized gains while understanding the inherent risks that accompany this style of investing. The 33 securities are actively managed and continuously monitored by our investment team.
Gradient Contrarian Choice
Portfolio: Gradient Contrarian Choice
Category: Strategic & Tactical
The Gradient Contrarian Choice Portfolio is an actively managed strategy designed to deliver long-term capital appreciation. It employs a contrarian strategy, seeking to invest in companies whose prices are temporarily dislocated due to macro or external factors that are out of their control. The goal is outsized returns in the form of price appreciation when these price dislocations revert, or normalize. Investing in contrarian securities can be an ideal investment vehicle to create long-term wealth for investors who have high return expectations and can tolerate a higher level of volatility.
Contrarian investors have historically made their best investments during times of market turmoil. In most markets there tend to be out-of-favor securities or sectors that investors are avoiding at any given time. Often times this creates price dislocations that can produce attractive long term returns when they recover. The Gradient Contrarian Choice Portfolio will deploy an active approach to exploit these opportunities through diligent research in determining if a company’s stock price dislocation is temporary or structural in nature and investing accordingly.
Gradient 40 International
Portfolio: Gradient 40 International
Category: Strategic & Tactical
The Gradient 40 International (G40i) is an actively managed portfolio designed to provide exposure to international stocks that provide long term capital appreciation and income through dividends. The individual equity investments are comprised of global industry leaders that are domiciled outside of the United States. Companies will be selected based upon fundamental opportunity but paired with a risk-managed sector and geographic overlay to ensure proper diversification.
The individual company stock investments will be made in American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), which are investments in foreign companies that are traded on U.S. stock market exchanges. ADRs provide U.S. investors access to foreign market stocks and are used for ease of transactions, liquidity, lower administration costs and tax simplicity. A significant difference between international and domestic stocks is the frequency of dividend payments. Many companies in international markets choose to pay dividends semiannually or annually as opposed to the quarterly dividend payments for domestic stocks.
Energy Sector Focus
Portfolio: Energy Sector Focus
Category: Strategic & Tactical
The Energy Sector Focus Portfolio provides investors with a specific avenue to invest in the energy sector. The strategy’s objective is to provide investors with long-term capital growth by investing primarily in individual stocks in various sectors of the energy complex. The portfolio is actively managed to invest in companies that exhibit financial health and potential prosperity within the energy sector.
Gradient Portfolio Tilt Series
Portfolio: Gradient Portfolio Tilt Series
Category: Asset Allocation
The Gradient Portfolio Tilt Series is an actively managed, diversified asset allocation strategy that utilizes Gradient Portfolios as the underlying investments. The Tilt Series has 4 different series, from Conservative to Growth, that correspond to an investor’s risk tolerance. Then, each series is allocated using “tilts” that select Gradient portfolios that are in-favor based upon the analysis of the Gradient Investment Management Team. The Tilt Series is periodically rebalanced to maintain risk consistency, but is also reallocated opportunistically based upon market conditions and the analysis of the investment team.
ETF Endowment Series
Portfolio: ETF Endowment Series
Category: Asset Allocation
The ETF Endowment Series consists of five portfolio models. These asset allocation portfolios satisfy a variety of risk and return objectives that follow a similar investment philosophy as large university endowment funds. Endowment funds invest in alternative assets like real estate and commodities as a complement to traditional stock and bond allocations. These investments provide greater diversification and are meant to provide a superior risk-adjusted return over a full market cycle. Gradient uses ETFs to provide individual investors lower-cost access to these asset classes.
Fixed Income Series
Portfolio: Fixed Income Series
Category: Asset Allocation
The Gradient Investments fixed income portfolios are carefully designed for long-term investors seeking current income through a diversified approach. The main objectives of the fixed income portfolios are to provide investors with current income and lower price volatility compared to the stock market. The Gradient Investment team builds diversified portfolios across all fixed income sectors, including assets like US Treasuries, Investment Grade Corporate Debt, Municipal Bonds, International Debt, or High Yield Bonds. Our investment strategy is actively managed and researched to identify fixed income investment opportunities producing a recurring income stream. Gradient Investments utilizes ETFs for bond-based allocations to ensure diversification within bond classes combined with liquidity and price transparency.
Laddered Income Strategy
Portfolio: Laddered Income Strategy
Category: Asset Allocation
The Laddered Income Series consists of four portfolio models with varying laddered maturities. The models are constructed by purchasing bond-based exchange traded funds (ETFs) that have fixed maturities of two to five years. After the nearest security matures, the proceeds are reinvested into a new year or they may be left in cash to cover client distributions. The fundamental investment theme behind a bond ladder is diversification by maturity. It also curbs reinvestment risk as the portfolio produces a steady stream of cash flow.
Gradient Stable Value
Portfolio: Gradient Stable Value
Category: Asset Allocation/p>
In times of volatility and stress in the markets, stable assets can provide a safe haven for investors seeking stability. Stable value assets, as a component of a diversified portfolio, can be valuable not only for relative stability, but also as a temporary asset class for near-term distribution needs or as "dry powder" for future investment opportunities. The Gradient Stable Value Portfolio provides a diversified set of liquid, ultra-short maturity investments that are actively selected based upon pre-determined criteria.
The goal of the Gradient Stable Value Portfolio is to provide a conservative asset allocation that exceeds the level of cash yield provided by traditional banks and investment custodians. In that regard, the Gradient Investment Management Team will consider liquidity and stability as the primary investment criteria. This portfolio is not expected to ebb and flow with the market, but rather act as a ballast during times of higher volatility.
Absolute Yield Portfolio
Portfolio: Absolute Yield Portfolio
Category: Asset Allocation
The Absolute Yield is a globally diversified portfolio with a primary objective of income maximization. The Absolute Yield invests in stocks, bonds, and alternative assets with the consistent theme of high-income production. These investments could incorporate such asset classes as high-yield bonds, dividend-paying stocks, real estate, preferred stocks, and senior bank loans. The Absolute Yield will primarily use exchange traded funds (ETFs) to invest in assets with a risk-managed approach but is actively managed to identify attractive opportunities and to optimize yield.
Gradient Socially Responsible
Portfolio: Gradient Socially Responsible
Category: Asset Allocation
The Gradient Socially Responsible Portfolio is an actively managed, diversified investment approach that is designed to consider socially responsible investments as its primary investable universe.
Socially responsible investing utilizes environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria to select investments. Investing in a socially responsible manner seeks to promote positive ESG characteristics while excluding investments that are not aligned with positive ESG criteria. Positive ESG criteria can include such initiatives as: workplace equality, environmentally conscious, cleantech/renewable energy, or positive corporate governance strategies.
The Gradient Socially Responsible portfolio uses exchange traded funds (ETFs) to build a diversified portfolio that aligns with client social values as well as their risk tolerance. Gradient offers 3 distinct socially responsible portfolios that range from conservative to growth allocations, using a mix of stocks and bonds that correspond with positive ESG initiatives.
Precious Metals Portfolio
Portfolio: Precious Metals Portfolio
Category: Asset Allocation
Owning a diversified portfolio of precious metals as a part of an overall investment strategy can act as a hedge against market turmoil and a potential source for enhanced return. The Precious Metals Portfolio uses exchange traded funds (ETFs) to provide exposure to several different metals, including gold, silver, platinum, and palladium. This portfolio is actively managed to identify and select opportunistic allocations within the investable universe.
Gradient Investments Buffered Index Portfolio
Portfolio: Gradient Investments Buffered Index Portfolio
Category: Parameter Series
The objective of the Buffered Index Portfolio is to provide market participation with a pre-determined level of downside protection. The pre-defined parameters of the Buffered Index include: the maturity, the index or indices used, the maximum upside participation (cap), the level of downside protection (buffer), and the participation rate. Notes used have pre-determined maturities and proceeds will be paid in cash. Gradient Investments will provide offerings on a recurring basis to invest or roll proceeds from maturing notes.
Dual Directional Buffered Index Portfolio
Portfolio: Dual Directional Buffered Index Portfolio
Category: Parameter Series
The Gradient Investments Dual Directional Buffered Index Strategy offers the ability to profit from upside market participation but also provide a pre-determined level of downside protection against volatile markets. Investors in the Dual Directional Buffered Index Strategy can take advantage of market growth up to a pre-determined return cap but also enjoy a defined level of buffer protection against market losses. Further, the Dual Directional Strategy can potentially provide a POSITIVE RETURN even if markets are NEGATIVE.
Designed Income Portfolio
Quarterly Series
Monthly Series
Portfolio: Designed Income Portfolio
Category: Parameter Series
The Gradient Investments Designed Income Portfolio has an objective of providing a recurring income stream with a pre-determined level of downside protection. The portfolio utilizes structured notes that provide pre-determined parameters including: the yield, the maturity, the level of protection, the type of protection, the coupon frequency, coupon contingencies, and call features. Notes will be issued on a periodic basis from investment grade underwriters who are some of the largest financial institutions in the world. Cash coupons are paid periodically based upon pre-determined parameters. Offerings are constructed as point to point solutions but can be liquidated intra-period if necessary. Offerings that mature (or are called) will return principal based on pre-determined parameters and will be paid in cash and placed in the investor account.
Buffered Outcomes ETF Portfolio
Portfolio: Buffered Outcomes ETF Portfolio
Category: Parameter Series
The Gradient Investments Buffered Outcomes ETF Portfolio is designed to provide downside protection along with upside participation. In today's environment, investors are looking for alternatives to the traditional stock and bond allocation models. The Buffered Outcomes ETF Portfolio utilizes defined outcome exchange traded funds (ETFs) that provide a defined level of protection (buffer), while providing upside participation up to a maximum level (or cap). The ETFs are traded on exchanges, are liquid, do not mature, and are not subject to issuer credit risk.
The portfolio is actively managed by selecting ETFs that the Gradient Portfolio Management team feels are opportunistic but also diversified and with an ongoing level of risk management and protection. Active decisions for the portfolio could include rotation toward indices with greater potential upside, adjusting protection levels based upon market outlook, and sources of relative value within the defined outcome investable universe.
Digital Discovery
Portfolio: Digital Discovery
Category: Asset Allocation
Digital technology has evolved at an accelerating pace. This transition is revolutionizing the way the world communicates, how we analyze and interpret data, purchase goods and services, and introduces completely new technologies to the world.
The Gradient Investments Digital Discovery Portfolio is designed to invest in companies that are involved in key themes within the technology and digital revolution. The Digital Discovery Portfolio will invest in exchange traded funds (ETFs) leveraged to areas such as: cryptocurrency, blockchain technology, metaverse, and non-fungible tokens (NFTs).
Portfolio Analysis Review
Our proprietary Portfolio Analysis Review (PAR) process gives you a detailed breakdown and thorough written analysis of your entire investment portfolio. The PAR process combines powerful third-party statistics with a simple, easy-to-read report so you can truly understand the possible risks and rewards of your current investment portfolio.
01
A client gathers and provides financial statements to you along with a completed Color of Money Risk Analysis.
02
Our investment team, along with Case Central’s team of CFPs, will conduct a comprehensive Portfolio Analysis Review on your clients current holdings. This includes the following areas of analysis: Morningstar Rating (1-5 Stars), Fees and Expenses (loads and internal fees), Performance (1, 3, 5, 10 years), Risk Exposure (as measured by standard deviation), Allocation and Diversification.
03
The Allocation Roadmap™ provides a unique overview of your proposed client asset allocation. The goal is to customize an overall financial strategy better tailored to your risk tolerance, investment objectives and time horizon. This powerful tool is meant to give you a general forecast of what you may expect long-term from this proposed allocation from a risk and reward standpoint. This proprietary tool allows you to analyze multiple investment strategies tailored to your risk tolerance, time horizon, investment objectives and income needs.
04
Once the Morningstar Report and Allocation Roadmap™ are completed, we create a Compass Report to cap-off your financial analysis. Our Compass report uses prudent forecasts to illustrate how your income and portfolio balances will move overtime.
The Proprietary Client Investment Process
The ultimate goal of this process is to bring your client’s investments in line with both their risk tolerance and their ever-evolving financial goals. Utilizing an Account Summary, Portfolio Analysis Process, Allocation Roadmap™ and Compass Report, we work with you to develop a financial plan for your clients’ that truly works in concert to help them meet their long-term financial goals.